Single suture biological tissue aortic stentless valve

Abstract

A semilunar stentless valve is formed entirely of biological tissue, and has a plurality of leaflets that are joined to form an annulus and coapt to form a one-way valve. The leaflets open fully to minimize obstruction. A narrow rim of tissue is provided over commissures where the leaflets join and around a base of the valve for a sewing ring. The valves can be sutured to heart tissue wall in a single suture row.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of repairing a human heart valve comprising the steps of: 
       forming a stentless valve prosthesis made entirely of tissue and having a plurality of leaflets;  
       joining side edges of the leaflets along commissures extending in a flow direction;  
       forming the leaflets to encircle a flow opening to form a valve;  
       providing a tissue sewing rim formed at least in part by portions of the leaflets around an inlet of the valve, and including a tissue layer over the commissures formed where the leaflets join; and  
       suturing the valve to heart tissue of a patient with a single suture row along the sewing rim and tissue layer over the commissures.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stentless valve has a low profile in a flow direction and the tissue layers at the commissures have a narrow width forming posts, and suturing the valve positioned with the commissures and sewing rim spaced from heart coronary ostia to leave the coronary ostia substantially free of impingement. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  including forming the valve to have a larger outflow opening than an opening at the inlet of the valve.